Canadian Alex Loutitt won gold at a World Cup ski-jumping event in Japan on Saturday.

The 21-year-old from Calgary scored 266.4 points to earn her first gold medal of the season. What鈥檚 more, she did it with her parents looking on.

鈥淚 think my parents are my lucky charms,鈥� she said. 鈥淓very time my parents are at an event, I tend to do really well.鈥�

Loutitt, who has Gwich鈥檌n relatives in the NWT, spends the bulk of her year away from home since facility closures forced Ski Jumping Canada鈥檚 national program to relocate to Planica, Slovenia, three years ago.

Loutitt, 21, led the competition by 2.4 points after the opening round with 129.2 points, before securing the win with a stellar second jump of 137.2 points.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not a secret that I have struggled a lot this season,鈥� said Loutitt after registering her ninth World Cup podium finish. 鈥淏ut coming back to my support system and my team has really helped me get things back together and on the right track.

鈥淚t feels good to be back on top.鈥�

Loutitt鈥檚 first World Cup victory also came here in 2023.

Calgary鈥檚 Abigail Strate was 19th (213.5) while Nicole Maurer, also of Calgary, was 26th (180.7).

鈥擝y The Canadian Press